Fantasy MLS Gameweek 21 Review and Gameweek 22 Preview

MLS dominated by Philadelphia Union and gave us a high scoring round thanks to 5 braces and 9 clean sheets.

Gameweek 21 Review

Philadelphia Union welcomed Columbus Crew. The host had better possession and Ilson scored the first goal. The Crew had to play with ten men after the 35th minute when Mensah was sent off. The Union had a chance to increase the score but Alberg missed a penalty. Sapong doubled the score in the second half and fourteen minutes before full time the visitors were left with nine men as Abubakar was given the marching orders. Epps took advantage and made it 3-0.

Despite being the better side Atlanta United had to settle for a point against Orlando City. They dominated throughout the game and had 17 shots with six on target but Kaka managed to penetrate the defence and scored in the 40th minute. The game was almost over when in injury time Villalba came to the rescue and level the score to 1-1.

New England Revolution shut out Philadelphia Union at the Gillette Stadium. Kei Kamara opened the scoring in the 38th minute. He scored again in the 85th and four minutes later Agudelo added one to make it 3-0.

New York Red Bulls dismantled Montreal Impact at home. The only goal in the first half came from a PK by Royer. In the second half Murillo doubled the score and BWP added a third. A minute before the end Royer came back with a goal 4-0.

One of the biggest surprises was at the Toyota Stadium when FCDallas let Vancouver Whitecaps to win. The Caps not only won but destroyed the host with four goals. Ibini opened scoring with his first ever MLS goal. Montero did the same later on. In the 59th minute Gruezo was sent off which motivated the visitors more and Montero completed his brace. If that wasn’t enough Mezquida made the score 0-4.

The heat was on even before Houston Dynamo welcomed Portland Timbers in what was expected hot and humid Texas weather. The lead taken by the visitors with a goal from Valeri was cancelled by Manotas and then reinstated with the help from Blanco. The Timbers looked more active in the second half but in the 81st minute Cabezas assisted by Rodriguez made sure that the Dynamo’s unbeaten home record stays 2-2.

Minnesota United ended the long winless streak against D.CUnited. Ramirez opened the scoring early and Danladi doubled it before half time. An own goal from Jeffrey added to the visitor’s misery. In injury time, Ibarra made it 4-0.

Real Salt Lake shared a point each with Columbus Crew. The home team was better most of the time with 20 shots and 63% overall possession. Still, the only goal in the first half came from Ola Kamara. Shortly after the start of the second Real became more alerted and within three minutes Plata and Savarino scored. That wasn’t enough for the win as Ola was destined to have a brace and end the result with 2-2.

It wasn’t the most exciting game when San Jose Earthquakes met Colorado Rapids. It was long monotonous first half with hardly any action from neither sides. With missing Gashi and Howard, Colorado continued to look in trouble. With slightly better play the host managed to grab the three points with a goal from young Lima 1-0.

Sporting Kansas City remain unbeaten at home after hosting Chicago Fire. They started well with a goal from Salloi which was briefly spoiled by an own goal from Besler. In the last seconds of the first half Feilhaber took the lead back. Few minutes from the start of the second Blessing added another one. Accam came in as a substitute and scored but that wasn’t enough to rescue the latest Fire failure on the road 3-2.

LA Galaxy earned a point at home against Seattle Sounders. With the new returning manager Sigi Schmid who accidentally had the task to guide them against his former team. That point was a good news for a team which has been in a turmoil lately. The good news was the clean sheet and the bad was red card for Van Damme 0-0.

The round finished with a massive victory for Toronto FC over New York City FC. Giovinco opened the scoring in the first half and came back to score another one in the second. Not long after that Altidore added another one and Edwards scored a fourth. The guests had a chance in the closing stages but Moralez missed the penalty 4-0.

Gameweek 22 Preview

We will have a normal round for a change with no doubles or byes. Enjoy while it lasts.

DCU ( W 5 D 3 L 14 ) vs TOR ( W 11 D 7 L 3 )

The Capital men are in total disarray. If anyone can see a light at the end of the tunnel great, I can’t. They have lost each of their last six games conceding at least three goals in the last four matches, make it a total of 15. Without wasting any more time here I just wish all the best to Ben Olsen for finding some miracle to change this team, if it’s not too late.

After a wonderful June The Reds had a slide for some time but finished the month with a strong message. Giovinco looked to be back on track and now with 11 goals he is in the race for the Golden Boot. In fact with the last brace he has 50 MLS goals. With Altidore back watch this space.

PHI ( W 7 D 5 L 10 ) vs DAL ( W 9 D 7 L 4 )

Philly seem to be the streakiest team around. After crushing Columbus 3-0 they went to lose and concede 3-0 to the Revs. On the bright side the team has lost once in the last eight home games. With that in mind if you were lucky to have Sapong in the last round it’s not a bad idea to keep him.

After three straight wins the Texans were humiliated at home by Vancouver. Urruti and Lamah were utterly disappointing but with 11 goals and 5 assists for the first it’s worth considering him. We do know the defence is not the same like in the past.

MTL ( W 6 D 6 L 8 ) vs ORL ( W 8 D 6 L 8 )

For the Falcons to reach a playoff spot is now a mirage. They haven’t won back to back games for two months. Piatti is slowly coming back in the game but Dzemaili seems to be losing his mojo at late. Will they bounce back? We can only hope.

The Lions are in some kind of a slump lately with just one win in the last five. The away record here is not to be mad about with only two wins and 7 goals scored. How the returning of Dwyer will impact the team remains to be seen. Him with Kaka and Larin could form a strong trio providing that latter is not leaving according to speculations.

MIN ( W 6 D 4 L 12 ) vs SEA ( W 8 D 7 L 7 )

After no win in their last five games and failing to score in three at home, they came back last week, need to be mentioned it was against DCU. Will they use that as a springboard and improve we’ll find out this week. After a quiet period, Ramirez scored his 11th goal. Clean sheet is unlikely in this game.

Despite been held to a goalless draw by LA the Sounders are coming into this game in what can be called the best form of this season so far. Let’s not forget the second part of the last year was when they surged to their best and became a Champion. Nothing against Minny but I think Lodeiro, Dempsey and Roldan will do well in this one.

CHI ( W 11 D 5 L 5 ) vs NE ( W 7 D 5 L 9 )

Now then, Chicago Fire, the team which everyone talks about this year. After a remarkable first half of the season they failed to win in the last three games. OK, those games were on the road and we know they are not the best in them. Let’s assume that was just a blip and the return of Fire will happen together with the return of the new star Nikolic. With Accam around and Dax back in the team, it’s quite possible.

Despite the last two wins the Revs keep conceding more goals than they should. That might not happen just yet as away from the Gillette stadium they are awful with 0 wins and only 8 goals scored. That said, Kei Kamara is on some sort of revival with three goals and an assist in the last two. Nguyen is capable to score against anyone.

COL ( W 6 D 2 L 12 ) vs VAN ( W 9 D 3 L 8 )

The Rapids are going downhill rapidly. With only one win in their last six games they are having a very bad season. Even if anybody scores it’s hard to predict who will be that one. I doubt the return of Howard will make much difference.

After a struggle on the road for a while the Caps seem to be improving a lot lately. That epic win over Dallas last week was not only the first one in Texas but the biggest away score since they joined MLS seven years ago.

RSL ( W 7 D 4 L 12 ) vs HOU ( W 9 D 6 L 7 )

Things are getting better lately with Real even if they still show inconsistency. Plata has generated 44 points in the last four games with Rusnak 38. These two plus Silva and Savarino are the preferred quartet by Petke with Yura left out.

After a rather bad streak the Dynamo have picked up things. Winning two and drawing two in the last four is a good sign for this time of the season. The concern here is that they are still struggling on the road with only one win. With Manotas doing well and Torres back the certainty of a playoff place is almost there.

SJ ( W 8 D 5 L 9 ) vs CLB ( W 10 D 2 L 11 )

After back to back losses on the road conceding at least three goals in each of them, the Quakes returned home with a win. They have another chance this week to capitalise on that. Their home record is very good with only one lost game. Get Lima while he still cheap. Judging the opponent Bingham could do well in this one.

The Crew have lost five in the last six away matches conceding at least two goals in them. They are fighting Orlando to stay at that last playoff spot in the East. After a long quiet time, Ola busted back with a brace last week. Meram remains the core of this team who has produced almost third of the 33 goals.

POR ( W 8 D 7 L 8 ) vs LA ( W 6 D 5 L 10 )

The Timbers have won only one game in the last eight. They score as many goals as they concede. Valeri scored and had an assist in the last one but that was first in three rounds. Somehow I find Blanco more consistent these days. When it comes to injuries, the defence section looks like an orthopaedic hospital.

Can that goalless draw at home for the Galaxy be classified as path to recovery? Amazingly sitting 9th in the West, it’s the team with best away record. Pele van Anholt made his debut, expect the same from GDS brother Jonathan this week. The new manager might have new ideas. It all be revealed this week.

NYCFC (W 11 D 4 L 6 ) vs NYRB ( W 11 D 2 L 8 )

Here we go again, the Hudson River Derby is back just after few weeks. This one will be another nail biting game with few goals in it. When you look at the stats for overall, home and away performance this season, you will find almost an identity between the two. The Blues need to forget about the horror game in Toronto and pick up the pieces. Villa, Harrison and Moralez will be there to restore the pride. BWP, Kljestan and Royer have been exceptional at late. It will be a furious battle where its hard to predict who is going to win.

SKC ( W 9 D 9 L 4 ) vs ATL ( W 10 D 4 L 7 )

Sporting is undefeated in the last 20 home matches. After three draws in a row they won at home without being affected by Dwyer’s departure. For now Blessing and Salloi have to keep the front with much improved at late Benny. No need to be mentioned that Melia is a top GK and with Opara and Besler around, that will not change.

After four straight wins the Five Stripes held to Orlando. They are heading in the right direction in this important third part of the season. While Martinez is out, Villalba is taking care of the team.

Captain Suggestions

1. Nikolic (CHI): At home against NE, due for some goals.2. Giovinco (TOR): Back in form, against the worst team in league at the moment.3. Villa (NYCFC): Good home performance.

DEADLINE
Saturday 05.08.17 at 7:00 PM EDT – 00:00 BST

Best of luck to all FFF Managers

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IvanTheTerrible

There was no fantasy football game I wasn't involved with . This time I am sticking with FPL with two teams plus My Rules. And of course my beloved MLS.

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